The Sometimes Island – Neon Summer

By starrymag | November 21, 2023

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

Q) Tell us the story behind “Neon Summer.”

A) “Neon Summer” is a story about a break-up – the summertime breakup. It’s inspired by a true story from one of our band members. I usually write songs in first person about my own experiences, so this was a fun opportunity to put myself in another person’s shoes. People are always breaking up in the summer and taking people for granted, and this is a story about being left behind by someone who has some wandering eyes. We brought on another vocalist for a female vocal, Skyler Williams, and she did an amazing job and performed it on our tour stop in Austin with us. It has become a quintessential song for The Sometimes Island.

Q) Since its release, what has been the overall reaction to the song from fans and listeners?

A) It’s been really well received! It’s pretty incredible to see it doing so well on streaming services, and it’s been a hit when we’ve played it live on tour. I especially love performing it – it gives me a lot of freedom to run around on stage and really bring it. The song is kind of a calling card, one of those songs that when people ask, “What do you sound like?” We can point to this single.

Q) What message do you hope fans take away from “Neon Summer?”

A) While the subject matter is a little depressing, the music behind it is super uplifting, like driving down the highway at night, windows down – which is why I put that lyric in there. I hope it breathes a little summer freedom into peoples’ lives, no matter what time of year it is.

Q) With the release of “Neon Summer,” is there a full length album or EP in the works?

A) There are a bunch of new songs coming. I am writing an album, but we’re going to release a steady stream of singles for the next few months, which we may collect one by one into an album. I’m interested in being prolific and also giving each song a moment in the sun. However, I love albums. I love tying everything together with a theme, and being able to play a full sequence of songs that flow together with transitions and a unifying concept. It’s been a while since we dropped an album, so stay tuned for that, one is coming. In the meantime, enjoy a TON of new music on the way.

Q) You recently released a video called “Friends and Family” on YouTube, which is just pure fun and a lot of great music! What prompted you to record “Friends and Family?”

A) Thank you! Here’s a fun story – the night before we recorded that, I got food poisoning. I was up at 4am and was basically dying the whole night and got out of bed maybe a couple hours before the show. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to do it at all. Some sort of extra gear kicked in, and I came to life, just in time. We wanted to document a little taste of what we’re like live, and we wanted full control over the experience. When you play a venue, you’re selling tickets and you’re playing with other bands and playing by the venue’s rules – so we rented out a space and created our own venue just for “Friends and Family!” Then, we invited a small group of friends and family and opened a bar tab for them to have a little pregame before the show. It was a ton of fun. For everyone but me. I’m kidding!It was fun for me, too. Surviving it was fun.

Q) In May and June you played quite a few shows in North America! Are there any plans to do a fall tour and/or possibly some international dates in the future?

A) I would LOVE to do some international dates. We have quite an audience in Brazil, Mexico and in Poland. Our song “Acapulco” was remixed by Tribbs, who is a Polish DJ on Sony Music who is out there absolutely killing it. It’s a pretty big undertaking to get the requisite visas and to get your gear overseas, but you only live once, so I think we have to. Stateside, we’re working on some one-off shows for the remainder of the year, no plans for a fall tour. We’re talking to some bigger bands about being their opener, but I can’t talk about that in too much detail because I don’t want to jinx it.

Q) Which song is your favorite to perform at live shows and why?

A) It’s gotta be either “Neon Summer” because it’s new and fun or “Bad People,” one of the first songs we ever released. “Bad People” has a crazy high falsetto part at the end and I usually end up rolling around on the stage or jumping into the crowd, which is always fun.

Q) I absolutely loved the cover of “Stuck in The Middle With You” from your last EP Beverly & Barbara! If you could do an album of covers, what other songs would you love to try out for that record?

A) Great question! That was such a fun cover to do, thank you! I would love to cover “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer. That song slaps. The band has this shared note of songs that would be fun to cover, and it’s pretty extensive. Another one we play together but haven’t done live yet is “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba, and I do the British accent and everything. I’m going to throw “The Sign” by Ace of Base in there, “In My Place” by Coldplay, and “1979” by Smashing Pumpkins. There’s so many.

Q) Throughout your time as a band, what was the best advice you were given that you still apply to your career to this day?

A) Be consistent and professional, no matter what happens or how anyone’s feeling. There are some wild highs and extreme lows, so I’m doing my best to balance that out. If I didn’t, I’d either burn out or do something stupid. I show up to work and treat it like a job, a really fun job.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your music?

A) I would like to say thank you so, so much to anyone who’s ever come to a show, bought a t-shirt, or even listened to us. I spent so much time in the early phases of making music and playing in bands creating music for no one. It means the world that there are people out there who care, whose lives have been impacted by us and our music in some way. I wouldn’t be doing any of this if it weren’t for you, so thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart and soul.

 

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Vocalist Matt Blankenship Jr.